Richland School Leaders Testify About Changes to WASL

RICHLAND, Wash.- Local educators made their pitch during a legislative hearing in Olympia Friday on WASL reform.

Richland Schools Superintendent Rich Semler joined in on the talks.

After about half of the state's Class of 2008 failed to pass the math section of the WASL, Semler testified in front of the legislature, presenting an alternative to the controversial test.

Richland Schools use a test called the MAP in addition to the WASL.

They say the map doesn't leave students behind like the WASL does.

It better identifies student's weaknesses, it's cheaper and Semler says, allows parents and students to understand their scores.

"We actually show it to them, and they don't, like when our parents make a request to look at WASL, I have to have a full time person spend, watch it like it's a secret document that can't leave the room," Semler said.

The WASL costs about $78 a student, the MAP is only $14, and it only takes a couple hours to administer instead of the two weeks it takes for the WASL.